On June 14, 1997, a Grumman G-164 (registration N663B) operated by Ronald G. Youngblood was involved in an aviation accident near Council Grove, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing and the fence post. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot's inability to see the fence post due to the high vegetation, and the soft dirt. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing approach, an aircraft's lower left wing and boom struck a steel fence post hidden in wheat. The plane skidded into a soybean field, flipped over, ruptured its fuel tank, and was destroyed by fire.
Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the accident occurred during a landing to the north. The lower left wing and boom of the aircraft struck a steel fence post that was obscured by the wheat crop. Following the impact, the airplane skidded left off the road and entered a soybean field.
Sequence of Events
The wheels dug into the soft dirt, causing the aircraft to nosed forward. The right lower wing caught the ground, and the airplane flipped onto its back. The pilot reported that the overturn ruptured the fuel tank. He quickly released his seat belt and exited the aircraft.
Post-Impact Fire
Shortly after the pilot evacuated, the aircraft burst into flames and was completely destroyed by fire. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies or pre-existing mechanical issues.